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Highway 238 reconstruction set Two-part project creates new route to Jacksonville By Chris Bristol Work on the "new" Highway 238, easily one of the most ambitious road construction projects in the Rogue Valley in decades, is expected to get under way in about a month. Springfield-based Hamilton Construction Co. officially won the project last week with a low bid of $15.2 million, according to Frank Stevens of the Oregon Department of Transportation. The project, one of three topping ODOT's regional wish list, essentially creates a new highway between Medford and Jacksonville by rerouting traffic through the "Big Y" intersection that fronts the Rogue Valley Mall. The existing highway begins in downtown Medford and runs west along Main Street, but traffic planners want a bypass from Interstate 5 through the west side of town. From Jacksonville the highway winds its way through the scenic Applegate Valley to Grants Pass. "This project gets destination traffic out of downtown and reduces vehicle miles," Stevens said. "It will improve air quality (by reducing mileage) and reduce congestion at McAndrews, Court and Riverside, which has been a big problem. "All in all, it's going to be a real plus for the community." The project is designed in two phases. ODOT calls them Unit 1 and Unit 2, like characters from a Dr. Seuss book. The first phase involves the realignment of the Big Y intersection across vacant property owned by Medite Corp. and Timber Products Co. to Rossanley Drive, ending at the intersection of North Ross Lane. A new bridge will cross the railroad yard near the McAndrews overpass. The plan also extends West Table Rock Road across North Pacific Highway (technically Highway 99), then south to Central Avenue under the McAndrews Road overpass. The second phase will continue the new highway from Rossanley to Hanley Road, reconnecting at the existing Highway 238. The second phase includes improvements to the dangerous curves there, known as Bybee Corner. Financing for the first phase, which includes federal money, was secured long ago. Financing for the second phase, estimated at $7 million, is dependent on voter approval of the five-cents-a-gallon gas tax proposal on the May ballot. Counting design work, all work on the two phases will total about $28 million. That figure includes right-of-way acquisitions that have displaced several businesses at the Big Y, including the Hungry Woodsman and Burger King restaurants and an Exxon gas station. Stevens said motorists won't be affected much during the first year of the project. Construction crews will concentrate on the Medite and Timber Products property, as well as widening of Rossanley Lane. The second part of Unit 1, when much of the work at the Big Y is scheduled, will be another story, Steven said. Construction should be finished sometime in November 2001. "We'll try to maintain as many lanes during the day as we can," he said. "A lot of the work is going to be done at night." Upon completion, the new road will be officially designated Highway 238, Stevens said. The existing highway from Hanley to downtown Medford will revert to local control. In the city, the road will still be known as Main Street, but the county will have to rename its portion. The project is the first of three that ODOT has identified as crucial for moving traffic and reducing congestion in Medford. The other two projects -- Highway 62 from I-5 to White City and the south I-5 interchange at Barnett Road -- remain on the drawing board. Financing is contingent on passage of the gas tax. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA